[New Release] Searching for Korea's Pioneers... 'Modern and Contemporary Figures Met Through Statues'

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Young-joo] When visiting overseas travel destinations, one can easily encounter statues in squares and parks. These are often of the country's or region's independence heroes or war heroes. In Seoul, the most famous is the statue of Admiral Yi Sun-sin guarding Gwanghwamun Square. These statues represent a significant part of the history of those places. There are many statues we pass by without knowing their significance. Simply reflecting on the meaning behind each statue allows us to encounter a scene from history.

is a book that revisits the politics and culture of the time through the statues of 21 figures related to modern and contemporary history. The author visited statues in Seoul multiple times over two years to examine the achievements inscribed on each statue. He meticulously traced what each person did, what they left for us today, and how they came to occupy that place. He also followed the stories of the artists of the time?sculptors, calligraphers, and writers?who participated in the creation of the statues and the circumstances that led them to do so.

From Seo Jae-pil to Park Chung-hee, the 21 figures featured in the book mostly studied abroad and passed the civil service examination, thus being called scholars. They share the commonality of abandoning monarchy and contributing to the birth of the republic in line with the flow of the times. The author states, “While some of these individuals have flaws or have been criticized when looking at their personal traits, from the broader perspective of the birth of the democratic republic, they are all contributors who made a mark in the history of the Republic of Korea.”

The author regards the March 1st Movement and the Shanghai Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea as the roots of the Republic of Korea's legitimacy, with the core being the spirit of the republic. Representative figures include Son Byung-hee, who led the March 1st Movement; Kim Gu, the president of the Shanghai Provisional Government; and Cho Man-sik, who stood against North Korea’s Kim Il-sung. The spirit of the pioneers who shed blood to establish the republic has been passed down to the present Republic of Korea through the March 1st Movement and the Shanghai Provisional Government. As evidence, the author points to the current situation between South and North Korea. After liberation in 1945, governments proclaiming republics were established in both the South and the North, but as of 2020, 72 years later, the South still maintains a republican government, whereas the North has effectively reverted to a monarchist (復?主義) government ruled by a king.

To make the 21 figures more approachable, organizes chapters by region according to the locations of the statues. This allows the book to serve as a guidebook for visiting the statues in each area. It includes objective descriptions of the figures, not only the external features of the statues but also fascinating knowledge about the various historical and social backgrounds surrounding their creation. Photos of the statues and surrounding sculptures taken by the author himself will provide great comfort during the COVID-19 era, when going out freely is difficult.